This report has just been posted (18 MAY). Very interesting reading, including the mention of a flotilla that has "revolted" against the reorganization, a blurb on the USACE Rangers, and the proposed AUXINTEC system to replace AUXDATA.
Source

$2 million dollars just for the Auxiliary data management system? Thats insane. While I think it is neat that the Aux has the level of info it does on the activities it conducts, I'm not sure it is worth that much to try to improve what we have now.

Note that contrary to reports here, the medical program seems to be growing. 5SR reports getting 6 doctors and nurses in the program since January.

The $3500 state tax credit for Maryland Auxies in longer than 3 years is very interesting.

Regarding the flotilla revolt, I have a hard time believing many Auxies really care what Division they're in, but apparently this is the case.

It looks like 8ER might be at the core of the issue discussed in another thread regarding loss of qualified personnel. They've lost over 30% of the coxswains and crews in the first quarter. VEs are down by 20%. Something is definetely wrong there.

Looks like recruitment is still going at a good pace most places.

Oh don't even get me started on the data system... grrr.

--M

Note that contrary to reports here, the medical program seems to be growing.

In one area, the one you noted. The medical program is highly subject to YM&DMV. And the one who confirmed the known status of the (diminishing) medical program was Dr Lavy himself.

The $3500 state tax credit for Maryland Auxies in longer than 3 years is very interesting.

I wonder if that tax break is just for Auxies or is it for a wider class of volunteer.

Regarding the flotilla revolt, I have a hard time believing many Auxies really care what Division they're in, but apparently this is the case.

It is hard to tell from the report if they are objecting to a move between divisions or a merger with another flotilla. The latter almost always causes hard feelings. You also need to 'follow the money' in a flotilla merger or division move.

I noticed in the report that in one district they renumbered all merged flotillas. This was done to supposedly avoid the appearance of winners or primacy. It also could have another motive. If a flotilla is dissolved its treasury reverts to the division. Unless the flotilla acts ahead of time (and very carefully) it cannot spend its money after a merger that wipes out the original unit. That money would have already been grabbed by the division.

My old flotilla is under this threat right now from its DCP. The flotilla dropped 20 members last year. It now has 75 members. It also has $30K in the bank. That money is earmarked to finish out a new building the county is building for the flotilla and other users. However, do to the actions of the Gang of 3, attendance at meetings is down and they have missed a few quorum calls. The elected FC quit the week after his election and the elected VFC refused to move up. The DCP had to appoint a member as FC since no one would run for it. The appointed FC is doing the best he can to bring the flotilla back to the way it was before the Reign of Terror of the Gang of 3.

But the DCP has also threatened him that if he doesn't turn it around 'soon', the flotilla will be merged with a much smaller flotilla to their north. Did I mention that the flotilla has $30K in the bank and that would revert to the division if the flotilla is forcibily merged?

Did I mention that the sitting DCP grossly interfered (in person) at the 2007 election for FC that insured the Reign of the Gang of 3 would go on for a second year? Did I mention that the VCP is one of the members of the Gang of 3 and transferred out of the flotilla at the beginning of the year?

So that flotilla in revolt may have very real reasons to object. And I would definitely look at the money as the first reason.

It looks like 8ER might be at the core of the issue discussed in another thread regarding loss of qualified personnel.

Alternatively, 8ER could be the only one with the stones to admit the problem. Do you really think that NACO would make a national issue out of a problem in only 1 district - and a rather small to medium district at that?

quote:

In one area, the one you noted. The medical program is highly subject to YM&DMV. And the one who confirmed the known status of the (diminishing) medical program was Dr Lavy himself.

The impression given was that the program was to be discontinued everywhere since applicants had to flow through national and that office was apparently being dropped.

quote:

It looks like 8ER might be at the core of the issue discussed in another thread regarding loss of qualified personnel.

Alternatively, 8ER could be the only one with the stones to admit the problem. Do you really think that NACO would make a national issue out of a problem in only 1 district - and a rather small to medium district at that?

Its not like they have to "admit" anything. The data is freely available for anyone to look at. Personally, if I had seen that sort of drop highlighted by one district, I would then have nosed around to look at the others - and a few other districts did mention drops in qualifications, though others seemed to go in the other direction.

The impression given was that the program was to be discontinued everywhere since applicants had to flow through national and that office was apparently being dropped.

What was dropped was the billet, office, whatever you want to call it held by Dr Lavy. They fired him so to speak and merged his function into a Coastie's function. The implication wasn't that the program wasn't terminated but was definitely being cooled off.

This is our last full thread on the topic: USCG Auxiliary medical program.

Its not like they have to "admit" anything. The data is freely available for anyone to look at.

Having raw data is one thing and most Auxies and Auxie officers don't look at it. Having a district admit to the problem takes the problem to a whole 'nutter level.

On a related issue, did you see the references to how few Auxies are qualified to hold office in one district and the rethread issue? Well that isn't limited to only 1 district, although only one appears to have admitted the problem. There are/were documents on the D7 site that make the same statements about the state of the electable base in D7. D7 went beyond just electibility and discussed that Auxies will not accept appointed jobs, which for the most part carry no qualification requiements.

Ward2up - Many thanks for the link. I'll share same with my flotilla.

FL51, the Md tax credit applies to volunteer police, fire, rescue, emergency medical services personnel, and CG Auxiliarists. Source

espantoon: Glad to do it. I assumed that we'd all be getting a notice about this report sent to us at some point but better sooner than later.

Isn't that a coincidence. Resident MD Active Duty Military Members stationed inside or outside the state (not overseas) don't get that tax credit.

MD Military Tax Info

I'm not sure the MD thing is for all Auxies with 3 years of service. I'm not sure what this legal mumbo-jumbo means but it looks like the Auxie has to accumulate 50 points some how. From the source already cited:

quote:

An individual can qualify for active status (1) under • a volunteer fire, rescue, or
emergency medical services personnel or auxiliary length of service award program operated by a county or municipality that requires at least 50 points annually in at least
two different categories; • a point system established by a county or municipality that does not operate a volunteer fire, rescue, or emergency medical services personnel or auxiliary length of service award program or by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary that identifies requires at least 50 points annually in at least two categories

Otherwise all someone would have to do is pay some trivial dues for 3 years and then get a nice big tax deduction every year - for doing nothing. That would be the ultimate Fog-A-Mirror Award.

I wonder why CAP got left out, or are they included under the rescue class already?

That's correct, the 50 points can be distributed over 11 categories, and specific activities can range from 1/4 point to 5 points, with a maximum number of points permitted for each category. Here are the details of the point system for the Md tax credit.

quote:

I wonder why CAP got left out, or are they included under the rescue class already?

That is somewhat intriguing as it is sort of unusual for CG Aux members to get any benefits through the states at all. But, CAP shouldn't feel too slighted...another Maryland law gives them protection from being fired while on CAP duty in response to a disaster declared by the Gov (CG Aux not covered).

Interestingly, Maryland has other laws that lets insurance companies exclude life insurance and long term care coverage relating to service in "auxiliary units" of the armed forces. Pretty common thing to include armed forces.

FYI, state of MD funds MD Wing CAP to about 38K a year.

While there may be a few more medical professionals brought into the program, this may be more likely due to the CG taking control of the program and taking care of the backlog of applications already in the que. As the Atlantic West Manager for the program, I essentially have no contact with the Auxiliary other than as a vehicle to do what I do. Thus, I have a hard time seeing these gains as an Aux "accomplishment".

While the Auxiliary would like this program to die, the gold side definitely wants to continue the program. Why not, it saves them $$$.